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3fovifjwmma €?>avti$t $&eetinq&*
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Cfearitet Snttnt&mc*.
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NOTTINGHAM ELECTION.
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TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—DaRBY.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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VERBATIM REPORT OF THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT LANCASTER . IN THE PRESS AND SHORTLY WILL BE PUBLISHED , A VERBATIM REPORT OF THE RECENT TRIALS OF FEARGUS O'CONNOB if D 58 OTHERS , AT LANCASTER , " FOR RIOT , SEDITION , TUMULT , AND CONSPIRACY . 'THE above "Work will bo Published in Weekly Numbers of 64 Pages of Royal Octavo , Edited by -L FEARGUS O'CONNOR , Esq ., Barrister-ac-Law ,. and to which will b e added A SHOST ACCOVNT OP THB CAUSES OF THIS DISTURBANCES OP AtTGTJST ANH SEPO ' SMBE R ZiAST , N With Notes upon the Trial ; also a Dedication to Baron ROLFE . A SPILEHTDID POBTSAIT OF THE JUST JUDGE WHO PRESIDED , WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE LAST NUMBE& ( GRATIS ) To those who have been Subscribers to the Work . - - P ¦ £ T tra 5 t T iU H Executed with a view to its being placed as a Frontispiece , and when completed , wnicn will be in about four Numbers ; tha whole will make a valuable work . Price 7 d . a Number , in a wrapper . The Portrait gratis- " ; Subscribers and Aeentsare requested to give their Orders to Cleave , 1 , Shoe La . no , Fleet Street . London j Bey-wood , 60 , Oldnam Street , Manchester ; and Hobson , Northern Star Office , Market otreet , Leeds . -a v ? ! ?™ JlmDer wiD he Published on Monday , 27 th March , and the subsequent Numbers will be Pnblished Weekly .
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Ht deas Frietbs , —There are a great many ibisgs about which I have prophesied for yon . Ill iell yon some of them . "When the Whig rascals jeni me to-Tort CasQfl for eighteen monies for copy ing fonryerj inoffensive lines from another jiswspaper into fhe Northern Star abont a poor jftfie bojTfho wssiarboronsly treated by the Warjaijister Guardians , and eTery -word of which I j > eBeve io be tme , I ihen recommended you to loin
iaonsiiag the Whigs , aed expressed my hope that gte Tories would Iiare ah overwhelming majority , jioi from lore of iheir policy or their measures , but upon the oldj > rintiple of " give a rogne lope enough " . I aid that a balance of patnes , or nearly so , -would j > e a great evU- ^ one upon which legitimacy and constitutionality , precedent , and custom , -would play * swaj pole "; or , as we call it in Ireland , " Wady Bar iKiiy "—
*» 2 ere ^ ego up , up , op , ant here » e go dosm , down , do "» uey ; « Hew to go backwards and forwards , and into London tourney / 1 There is in reality no difference between "Whigs sad Tories in the Henae of Commons ; but the parties , outside , are distinguishable by their politics In power the Whig Administration was not EuffideDilj liberal for the Whig constituency , while the Tories in power are too liberal for the Toxy constiroencyj not somnch in practice as in speech .
Again , when ihe Tories prcred' the strength of { heir majority npon that . gigantic measure , the Tariff and the Income Tax , I propheried firstly that [ Russell and Peel would nnite in trampling upon ow liberties , if the Tariff should fail in giving the anticipated impetus to trade . I told you that the Tariff would be an incalculable benefit to the higher and saddle dassis , and bat of very little benefit to the working orders . I told you that the free trade men Tf-tmld bots heaven and earth to lrus $ r » t © * he Tariff sad fiat Peel weald persecute fbe Ghai&fe for fhar opposition of the League . I told you lhat a strong opposinpn "would be formed against the Tery name of Toryism ; and now , that I haTe been right in each and eTery one of my predictions , subsequent events have proved . The opposition to which I looked
ferwsrd has not been formed in the House of Comjuons , because the adTance of ihe public mind has paralysed Little ^ Russell and his Whig constitniionaliste , and hs 3 induced tnem to confederate , combine , and conspire with Peel and his associates to resist ihe march of intellect . Men like Russell and Palmerston are only liberal when ths public mind can be tickled wiih phrases , or subdued by brute force ; bnt now they haTe discrimination enoughs © see that the opposition has been formed opt of the House ; and that , however the force of Parliament may , for a season , hold opinion in sibjeetioSjyet are the days of legitimacy numbered , and count but-few .
The storm in the tea-pot , created by the puffing of ihe League ismore than Russell can bear , while the inrricaneof Chartist opinion is too powerful lor the league . Peel is bnt little afraid of Rnssell ; Russell is dreadfully afraid of the Les £ ne ; and the League is still more in dread of the Chsrtisis ; the opposition , notwithstanding , is beiDg fermed out- " ade ; an opposition against which Peel and Russell wiQ unite , bat in Tain . As soon as the hollowheartedne = 3 , the ignorance , the self-iiterestedness , the pn » 3 : gaey , the want of character , and brutality of the Leagns suScientlj develops themselves—and thej are isaxchiiig on wiih rapid siridea—xaen the good of all ^ 2 as 3 e 3 will unite for the subjugation of Toryism , of Whkgery , of Whig-Toryism , and of Tory-Whlgisn .
It is for ti-at reason acd with that Tiew that I hsTe laboured hard and braved all to keep the party Of the people together , so thai they may , when the henr for union comes , be the mountain , the magnet , to which all attractable bodies come . Should the day ever arrive when the working daises shall again be contented with a secondary position in agitation , the Trcrk of later years will have been polled dovra and om snecessors Trill be compelled to go tihrDngh ths same pr < -leminaTy labour of making the people a distinc ; political body .
The practical changes anticipated from whas was called the Befonn Bill have not taken place . The "PTU itself was a mere conferring of representation upon a heap of newly acquired property ; while the Poor Law Amendment Act , the Corporation Bcform BilL and the appointment by Russell of a batch of ignorant , pnrse-proud , hard-hearted , BelfsnEcient magistrates , were the projected details for conferring a final immortality npon Whiggery . JtnsseU actually looked npoa those measures and -appointments as boons , for which the recipients and the community at large should be grateful . TheT were to be as toys in the hands of children , bnt those in whose keeping they have been
inimsted , had felt a growing and more viul interest in their exercise than Bussell ^ rer dreamed of . It is a deire to nse this machinery , placed in the bands of iheinsimfaci . xirer 3 for their own exclusive benefit , that has given to that order the appearance of so much power—nay , the reality of so much powsr . Uow if « ver there was a blunder committed by a statesman , it was in conferring magisterial authority : upon ignorant and selfish manufacturers . Had he confined the appointments to indiTidHab of his own political creed , persons of lie Whig , bnt not of the sleam order , he and his party might have derived incalculable support from them in the hour of need , bui their duty to themselTes has blinded them in their dnty to their maker , and they haTB
tursed against iniQt Kow , all these are fearful odds to contend against j yei haTe I do fear . I bclieTe that energy , perseTerance , and honesty , will accomplish any thing , and I do not see a Tery herculean wo * in breaking down'Peel , the Pake , and their strong Government . Bnt to effect this , we mnst iare such machinery as the law allows , and aa our Dvm materials can famish .
It would not be just to those parties who may be eaI 3 td up for judgment , ( but which I do not anticipate ) to proceed to ihe election of a new Execnrive until ail are npon a perfecJ equality as to position . 1 have had many , Tery many narrow escapes , and I never blamed any person for the awkwardnesses in which 1 have been freqently placed ; however , for the sake of the body , and , above all , for the sake of car cause , ! have at length yielded to the spplicafaili = of = £ Teral good asea , &nd conssilsd that BJJ name shonld ^ e placed btibre the Charnst body as a CBDdifls . te fcr the office of Execstiue Committee raan
Should I be decttd , I shall render my s ^ mees gratDitonsly , ana whtther 3 am or not , il is my determination to Fubmitto the country a -rigorons , a bold , atd a concoitrsted action on behalf of the Charter . I am of opinion that a -vigorous strugg le jast now , would piace Chardsm in the ascendant , aEd that Ihe undivided aiiention of £ vs good sound rational aonest men , wonld be mociiBery quiie sufficient to con&ii faction . Yc ^ i may lely npon it , that we owe no part cf onr escape from the jaws of a dungeon to Feel . So , eo . He looked up- n the late trials as a Chsrfzsz exiinguisher j we will turn them into a Chartist hlaza to light us in om progress .
I iiaTe the "ranily to belieTe ftit the country will approve of a proposition which I mean to make Trken the argument in arrest of judgment is oTer , 121 then I wonld not feel myself justified m Eiaking even a suggestion , while the hands of seme of oar best men are tied . I trust that while my p&n will have the merit of being safe and inexpensive , it will also lay the 1 omulaiioxnjf a union -which eannoi be msinrbed while it will reconcile all pssi differences and make us what we ! onght to be , a bundle of sucks instead of a rope of sand .
1 have just heard of the acquittal of John vV est , the Irish aguatoT , atDerby , after a splendid defence All these things convince me that "we have creaked a pohlioi opinion stronger thas bad law , sad that we ^ Vrefuireciisrjnr , freedom , andcoorjLie to turn it toieeonnt . I am more lh » n erer conTineed of &b srounds * pon whlSi I anticipate a glorious termination of ^ heLancaste ^ txisunph , lor triumph it was .
1 learn that there are yet some tnariers growling * bout the conntry s bnt to public opinion I look for their correction . "Ehe Government tad every hope of annihilating Pear ^ ns O'Connor and the Star , for that was the fcain object ; but tfrxp fr * to justice , bsih have
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escaped their fangs . Peel and his "strong Government" are at their wit's end , and having failed in the last resource of Toryism—persecution , lam anxious to see to what they will next direct their attention , as they now find they cannot put down opinion or suppress agitatioa . I am , my friea'ds , Yoarfaithfnl servant , Feabgbs O'Coasos .
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Mosdat , Masch 20 . { Before Mr . Baron Alderson . J SEDITION . John West , aged 25 , was indicted for having , at Swadlincote , on the 18 ih of September last , wickt-dij , maliciously , and seditiously uttered certain words concerning our sovereign lady the QueeD . Mr , Waddisgton and Mr . Macadlat appeared m support of the prosecution . The prisoner conducted his own defence .
Mi * Waddikgtom stated that the prosecution had been-instituted by the magistraits of the disrrie ; in which the alleged offence was committed . The prisoner was charged with haying , on Sunday , the tgkh j °£ September Jw * , mtsred , in she presence of a -w ^ wswoter of persons a disconrce of an iuflammatory * nd-ieditioTa 3 character , calculated to incite persons to commit aets of outrage and insubordination . The law upon the subject was this : —the firtt duty of every subject was to obey the existing law , but it was the privilege certainly of all to complain , either in public or privaie , of any particular law which they might consider injurious to themselves or the country at large . Englishmen had a right to meet together , and discuss the merits of the laws bj which they were governed , subject to one restriction , viz ., that it must be done in a way not to
excite disturbance ef the public peace . Their complaints should be pointed at some particular grievance , and not be levelled generally against ail law and order . They must not call on parties to combine together to subvert the constitution ; and all persons using langsage calculated to promote acts of insubordination were fcuiity of sedinon . The facts of tie case were as follow . In August aed September last , Staffordshire , Derbyshire , and some neighbouring counties were in a state of disturbance and riot , owing to a disagreement between masters and men upon tbes . u \> jt-ei of waees . The prisoner had , upon more than ore occision , addressed large assemblies of miners ana potters on
the borders of Staffordshire , who had turned oui on the day in question , being a Sunday . The prisoner addressed an assembly of about two hundred on Gresley Common , taking a text from Scripture . In the progress of his discourse he had nnertd these wor * is : ** We are told to unite together to oppose the abominable Iaw 3 which stop our rights by cla ? s lejiislat-. on . " ** We mn > t be alive and active , for as long as we sleep quiei we shall not get our rights from the aristocracy . " " We must combine together to open the locks of the prison doors , and liberate
those of onr brethren who are cor fined for asking onr rights . " " We have no right to be content with the abominable iaivs which are entailed npon us . " These were the word 3 used ; no one could mistake their tendency ; and h would be for tha prisoner to explain them sway if he cculd . The meeting commenced by singing a bynrn , after which the prisoner took his text from the first chapter of the 2 d of Peter , the 4 'h and three following verses . He spoke for an hour and a-half , during which he uttered the expressions for which he had been indicted .
The Defendant requested that all the witnesses might be ordered out of Court . The Learned Judge said that was a r ^ qutst which could not be complied with , but directed that a'l those who were not under examination should go out of hearing . John rhom& 3 Woodhonse examined—I am mining agent of the eolkriea of the Marqui 3 of Hastings and those of Mr . Court Granville . The Marquis employs 400 men , and Mr , Court GraDviHe 209 . In Angustiast , there was some discontent on the part
of Mr . Court Granville ' s man , which led to a turnout ; the men returned to their work on the SOlb of August . . Meetings wtre held while the criliers were Out The colliers turned om throughout th « wbola of Staffordshire ; the nearest point of the Staffordshire rollierie 3 was thirty miles off . Church Gresley was about four miles from the borders of Staffordshire . Chartist meetings were held in the neighbourhood of Church Gresley . I was told there wonld be a meeting on the 18 : h of beptember &ad 1 gave directions for special constables to attend it .
Cross examined by defendant—Yon state there was a disagreement between the colliers and their employers—what was it!— The colliers turned out for an advance of wages . The minins districts of Staffordshire , you say , are thirty miles off you ? —Yes . John Charlton examined—I lire at Swa ^ lineoie ; am a police officer there . On Sunday the 18 th of September , I was informed a metting was to be held there ; I received orders to watch their proceedings . I weat to Church Gresley Common , which is about a quarter of a miie from Chnrch Gresley ; there were about 130 or 140 persons there when I arrived . Most of them were working people—colliers and
petttT 3 . ThiB was between two and three o clock in the afternoon . I know West now , bnt 1 did not know him then . West did doi live in the neighbourhood ; he was elevated on a stoo ] form , and was giving out a hymn . A short time after be took a text ; it was from the 1 st chapter of tho 2 nd Epistle of Peter , the fourth and three following verses . I took notes of Eome parts of his address ; he spoke a ™ bonr or an hour and a-half . He gai { l _" "Hfa are told to unite together to oppose the abominable laws which stop our rights by class legislation . " He had , perhaps , spoken ten or fifteen minutts before he said this . About four or five minutes after , he said— " We must be alive and active , for as long as we keep qniet we shall not get oar rights from the aristocracy . " After some tiroe , he said— " Wo must combine together io break open ,
or , and tnreak open the prison doorB , and liberate tbose our brethren that are confined for asking for our rights . " He used tho word ** our" to the best of my knowledge . After a short time he said— " We have no right to be content with thes 9 abominable lawa thxt are entailed upon us . " I only took down such words as I thought improper to be used . He appeared to open his discourse in a religions strain , but be did not go back to reiigious snbjtctsigaiu . He talked afterwards about politics , ai » d said a good deal abcrat Church and State . Tfee audience was qsiet . I did not interfere till they began to make a collection ; defendant said it was for assisting in the defence of his brethren confined ia gaol , 1 said I would not allow a collection to be made ; they then desisted . I went to defendant at a house afterwards . He was not committed till
October . Cross-examined by Defendant—After the hymn , was there uoi something else ] Do you recollect what it was ! Somethin g meant for prayer ; I considered it a mockery . Did you not hear me give thanks for an abundant harvest ? I will not say I did nou I hearu you read the text . I heard you divide it . I do not remember yonr explanation of Tirtue . Do you not recollect it was—purity and uprightness of oar lives ? IN ' o , I heard you divide the text a-BO" aueir . pt to explain it . but I cautot remember what it was . 1 heard you mention moral duties . Do you not recollect that I described tcmpsraDce as jiot consisting so much in moderation in eatingand drinking as in our languageand actions ? M , I cannot say what your words wvre . Do you recollect what 1 described godliness tobe ? is * o . Do you not recharacter of
eollect that I said that we found it in the pirist ? No ; 1 remember yonr quoting irom the 424 chapter of Isaiah , and to the best « i my recollection it was the 6 ih verse . Was it not that pas-* ag&— ** The spirit of the Lord God is npon me ; because the Lord hath acnomted me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; be hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted , to proclaim liberty to the capfiTes , and ibe opening of ihe prison to them that are bound ! " Those are not the worda you used ; von did not ate them at that time as you do now . Did not I E& 5 that they could not do beUer than to contribute of their means to effect the openrng of the prison doors to them that are bonne ? Those are not Ihe words . Let me see the words aa you took them . ( The witness gaTe the defendant his notes . ) Don t yon recollect any allusion to contributing of their meLnsto obtain a fair trial for those that wete in
a ^ BifeAfflai ' - ^ Nr ; The drfendant » id ie did * ot mean to throw oat ^ 1 Si A&S » tioiii lm » he wonld explain himselt "SsSmination continued-Was there any impreSTon your mind that what I said had a t 7 T ?; wV to fixeite the people to commit acts of Tfoincf * It ^ SSd not ^ Te that effect on me , but iflSk it TOM on ovher persons . There waano violence in yeur manner of speaking . You heard Se SptaS patience-was there any p » rtwn aioir-
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rumstanee took place at the time ? I recollect two fnneralB passing . Do you recollect me telling them they must be patient under all the decrees of God I do remember . Do you recollect that I spoke of the necessity of patience under snch circumstances 1 Yes . Of the necessity of charity and brotherly kindnesB « Yes . Don't you recolieot there was another hjmn given eut , another prayer made , in which something was said about the harvest ; and that Gods blessing was asked for her Majesty and our rulers , that they might promote the happiness , morality , and contentment &f ihe people ? Yes , something about it . Don't you recollect me saying
if the officer desire you to desist , we must obey , for I have no wish to commit any offence against the laws ? Yes ; I saw no disturbance at the meeting . 1 cannot gay whether the meeting was calculated to create alarm . The first words after the meeting I said were—I wished to know whether yon intended to repeat your visit ? You said you did not know . I said it must be on Sunday . The Defendant—1 said I would come on Sunday if 1 came that way . By the Judge—Did not the defendant ask you to take the teuor of his discourse , - and cot particular passages ? I \ o ; some parts of his speech were calculated to exc te the people to violence .
The Judge—Why did you not take them down ? I sbould have taken more , but I broke my pencil . John Ensor—I am in the employment of Mr . Court Granville , as engineman . I was a special constable , and -was at the meeting on the 18 th September , at Swadliocole . I : saw West there , and heard him make an appointment for a meeting on Grestey Common . I attended that meeting ; he was discoursing when I got there . I took particular notics of what he said . He said , " wo must be alive and active , for as long as we keep quiet , we shall
not get our righta from the 4 iristocracy . " " We must combine together to break open the locks of the prison doors , and liberate those of our brethren confined for asking for onr rights . " 1 saw the witness Charlton write it down . West said , " I am a Chartist , and all that are not Chartists hate me . " Cress-examined by Defendant—I was there some time before you began to make use of those words I did not take down those words in writing . I must rtmembersome other words you said , bu * - not particularly . Will evear you saia " We must combing together to break open , " not and .
The Learned Junes said this would not make any difference . w * Will you swear I did not use the word contribute ] I never heard it . How many times have you been instructed in this lesson ! None at alL Did you see Cbarlton write down the wt / rdst I couldnot tell what he wrote When I could not read —( aliugb ) . ( The Learned Juege said they did the defendant no good by laughing at the mistake of tha witness . ¦ I heard thore was a a turn-ont at Mr . Court Gran"rille ' s colliery . I was not sent to the meeting ; 1 Was there by accident . I have not be- n told that 1 shall lose my employment if I did not consent to give evidence . 1 have not been drilled at all in these tales .
Examination resumed—I saw Charltoa write while the defendant was ppcaking . Thomas Warren examined—I am a special conetaWe . On the 18 : h of Stptomber I went to Gresley Common , and saw West there . He gave out a hymn . After the meeting I put down in writing what he said . He said , ** Wo are told to unite together to oppose those abominable laws which stop oar rights by clas 3 legislation . We must combine together ; we mn 3 t be aliye % nd active ; for if we are quiet , w « s shall not get our rights from tho aristocracy . We must combine together to break open the locks of prison doors , aDd to liberate our brethren confineo for asking for our rights . "
Cross-examined by Defendant—Abymn was given out and a prayer made , but 1 cannot recollect a sentence of what was said . I recollect the text being given and some of the words— " Whereby are given unto us great and precious promises . " I can ' t say how long you were before you U 3 ed tho words 1 wrota down . I cannot say 1 saw the two funerals . I set down the words when I got borne . Did not 1 nse the word contribute ? I can ' t recollect that , you did . This was the case for the prosecution . The Defendant then rose and addressed the Jury . He ssid if his words had been tafcen fairly down , and connected wiih the sentiments to which he gave utterance , they would not bear the meaning
attributed to them in ths indictment . He felt—this being the first time in his life that be had been placed in such a position—the awkwardness of his situation , for it could not be supposed that a man in his humble condition could be acquainted with thu points of law which it wa 3 cesireable he should know . He had , however , full confidence that his Lordship would aid him , as he had witnessed that he had done others on their trial at theBe Assizes , to obtain substantial justice . And , before proceeding further , he wished to remove from his Lordship ' s mind the impression that he ( the defendant ) had any idea that the Chartists who were in prison would not have a fair trial . What he meant to say
was , when urging the working olafisess to contribnte of their means for their defence , that it was nece ? sary to employ the best legal talent that they could obtain , and that this was expensive . Tnero was no desire on bi 3 part to . insinuate that he sbould not receive full justice both from his Lordship and the Jury . He begged the Jury to obseivo that the accusation in the indictment—that he had told the people that they must not submit to the lawshad not been sworn to . He had ever contended that the law must be oueyed whatever it was , but if the law , in their opinion , was bad , they had no right to be content , and were emitted to seek its repeal . This was the right of every British subject , whether
To / y , Whig , Radical , or Chartist . Tnere was nothing unlawful in the Charter , and those that believed it would be beneficial to themselves and the country , had an undoubted right to urge its adoption . There had been an attempt made to connect him with the outbreak in Staffordshire , but it was not necessary for him to defend himself on that point . If euch had been his object , he should not have chosen such a passage of the Word oi Gjd as he took for his text . He would appeal to their common Bense whether for such a purpose ho should hare commented upon one of the most beautiful enumerations of the moral virtues in the Scriptures . He had frequently witnessed with pain
the ignoranoe , the poverty , and the distress ot thousands and teds of thousands of his countrymen . Many of them never heard a single word respecting their social and moral duties , nor wore they ever directed to the promises of the Word of God . This must be lamented by all benevolent men ; he had s « en it aad he had done what he could to lay before them the true doctrines of practical Christianity . His Lordship in connection with others had noticed the want of moral and religious education amongst the great body » f the working classes ; he felt this too , and he had taken the best passage he could select and
most likely to aid him in instructing his fellow men . Be considered it criminal in any man , who bad the mcams , not to confer the benefits on the ignorantand , humble as his station was , he considered it as his duty , as well as that of the richest of his countrymen , to do every thing he could to remove ignoraipce and crime from the land ; he had only been doing his duty as a citizen in endeavo » ring to confer a benefit on his county . He could show , if neeessaiy , that the language he had used was not io be compared for violence with that used by some Ministers of Religion and other persons in elevatod stations , Gentlemen occupying the Magisterial benches
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had used language to which he dared not give utterance ; yet there was no notice taken of them , uo eteps taken to arrest and puuish them . He would prove too that the disturbances that had occurred had been significantly hinted at on the magisterial bench , but no notice was taken of their language .
It was a hard thing to define sedition ; Sometimes language is considered seditious , which afterwards the Government of the day sanctions ; and those demauds ave persecuted for sedition which afterwards become the law of the land . John Sfcubbs was prosecuted for moving a resolution to the effect that Macclesfield ought to return two members of Parliament , and was sent to prison ; but some years afterwards Thoa Grimsditch , Esq ., moved a similar resolution , in nearly the same words , and it was tolerated by Government , and hois now sitting member for Macclesfield . He hoped those that conducted this prosecution on the part of the Crown would not be nibbling at the buds and let the tree alone ; this
they were doing by prosecuting him , while they p assed by unheeded the more violent language of men in a higher place in society . If Magistrates did these things he had a right to do so , for they were men occupying stations in which they ought to be qualified to make the distinction between right and wrong . Lord Chief Justice Tindal , who was an honour to his country , had laid it down as a rule that persons carried away by the warmth of their feelings should be judged by the whole tenor and tendency of their discourse , not by isolated word ? and selected passages . Now , they would observe in tho evidence against him that day there were no connecting passages given by the witnesses . It was evident they were drilled ; they knew
nothing , nor could they remember any other words that followed those which they had got off by rote like a parrot . The witness , Charlton , admitted that he ( the defendant ) was temperate in his language and actions . If he fed vised those persons who heard him not to let their passions get the better of their judgment , he thought it could not enter into the minds of the Jury that ho had any such intention as that imputed to him . His object ; was to inculcate moral dmies on those who will not go to Church ; surely if they would not go to any place of religious worship , and would " hear a working man on these subjects , U was no crime , but an honour to instruct those who would ; otherwise be given up to
drunkenness , fightiDg , and quarrelling . One of the witnesses said that he ( the defendant ) said he was a Chartist . He was a Chartist . He believed the Charter necessary to preserve the institutions of the country . He did not wish to overtnrn tho "Constitution . He loved it , Jie , waijted to be placed within its-palev- JJo wkbtad to be rcproBont « d' ^ rvitn ~ olHor Commoners in Parliament ; . He hoped they would not think he was necessarily engaged in a bad cause for wishing to be represented in the House of Commons . He had said that the people had no right to sit down contented with the abominable laws which fxcluded them from the privileges of the Constitution . If he had Binned in using such language he
had sinned in good company . The Tories had said the New Poor Laws were cruel and abominable , and they had not used the mildest means to obtain a repeal of them ; they would recollect meetings on this subject composed of two or three hundred thousand persona at which the strongest resolutions were passed . There was another class , comprising persons of great wealth and high standing , which Bought the repeal of the corn and provision lawg . which they did not hesitate to say were abominable . Not one of these persons was brought to trial , but ho hoped that Ihe gentlemen who instituted these proceedings against him wonld see thai these things were looked after . Surely when a gentleman of high standing said
he wa 9 astonished at the apathy of the metropolis —the time was past for talking , they must dp something—they must have a Committee for public safety . " [ The Learned Judge said the defendant was using a bad argument ; it was no justification of his conduct if he had done wrong that others had done so too . If such parties were brought before tho tribunals of Vhe country , and Juries were independent enough to convict them , the Judges would take care thev were punished ] My reason for alluding to this languajjo ia to show that what is an offence now may become law . [ His Lordship said there were many things unlawful now that could
Dot become law , such as robbery and murder . The best argument of the defendant was—that it was not fair to take a passage or two from a long speech , without showing the tenour of tho Bpeecb . Nothing was more unfair than taking part of a sentence and giving it as evidence . They would remember a person being charged with saying "There is no God , " when he had connected it with " Tho fool hath said in his heart . ' ] The defendant thought he might safe ' y trust bis cause in the hands of his Lordship . He had witnesses to call to prove that ne did not use the words in the sense imputed to trim , but merely called upon them to contribute of their means for the . deliverance of their breihren .
The fact of his attempting to make a collection proves what his intention was . The faot was sworn to that he prayed , though it was said it wa _ s a mockery ; he considered that he did it in sincerity ; his respect for thy day , the morals of the people , and his own welfare , would prevent him from making a mockery of prayer . When he praysd to God to give her Majesty wisdom to govern the kingdom , he did it with sincerity . He bad addressed meetings of two , three , or tour thoufand per-> ovf , and had always selected those parts of the word of God for texts which showed the importance of practical Christianity . Ho would appeal to their good sense , whether it was likely that he should so thero ,
under Luch circumstances , and say they must combine io break open the prison doors . The constable wished me to desist , but I said no—the hearts of the constables may be touched and receive some moral advantage as well as others . He would a- ^ k again , if it ware his objeot to excite the people to riot and insubordination , whether he should not . have selected a more inflammatory kind of text ? This showed his peaceable disposition ; he thought the idea that he wished to promote an outbreak could not entar into the head of any individual who did not wish to make out a case . Ho hoped the Jury would not fail to take tho teaor ot" his discourse into their consideration .
Tne Learned Judge , ia summing up « said there were few persons , riot accustomed to public speaking , that did not say . stronger things and use stronger words than they intended . With respeot to aotion the case was very different , for there they had something definite and precise . The jury ought to have a clear and distinct idea of the tenor of the deieudant ' 8 discourse . Let us see what he is charged men . ( His Lordship then read a passage from the indictment charging him with endeavouring to form a conspiracy to resist the laws , and to procure by violence a change of tho Constitution . ) His Lordship was of opinion that the people should be
permitted to state their grievances openly , and to seek redress by proper means . The evidence was not complete , the Jury ought to have had more » f the context , and again adduced ihe instance of a per . son being charged with saying "There it no God " - - when he need the wnolo passage and said— " The fool hath said in his heart there is no God . " Suppose the defendant had swd— " We aretoW we mast combine together and oppose those abominable laws which stop our righta by class ^ legis ' Ation ;" but , suppose he had added that it is not the way , that is not correct . He did E /> t know that the words attributed to the defendant
were seditious ; it iras very common Vo say a par * licular class made the laws , having Vae power to return members to Parliament ) . This law might be good or bad , but some persons might choose to call
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the law abominable because they were excluded from the privilege ; bnt if this were done to create violence , no law could stand . The defendant said also — " We must be alive and active ,, " but did he mean active to resist by violence , or in remonstrance His language was capable of both significations ; and if there was ambiguity in the expressions used , they should give the defendant the advantage of it . He said they must combine to break open the prison doors and liberate their brethren . They ought to have had the context with this passage tojshow its design . If the defendant meant , as he said ho did , that they
should have the benefit of Counsel on their trial , he was not prepared to say that his I object was not praiseworthy ; but if lie meant that they should combine to liberate them by force , he was guilty . If , however , to break open was used as a metaphor , it was not more than orators were accustomed to say when they intended only moral . means . If they were satisfied that there was not saffictenfc evidence to convict the defendant , they would acquit him . If they thought otherwise , they would find him guilty ; and he hoped the Juries ! of the country would have the courage to do their duty , and he was suro the Judges would do theirs .
After some time , the Jury expressed a wish to retire . ! The Jddqe directed them to remember that all they had to consider was , whether tho language said to be used by the 'ieiendant would boar the construction put upon it in the indictount . The meeting appeared to have been quiet ; ' there was no outcry or appearance of violence , and the defendant should have the benefit of it . After a short consultation , the Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty . His Lordship said— " I quite approve of your verdict . " i William Wildgoose and fourteon others were charged wi'h assembling together to turn out workmen . Taey pleaded Guilty , and were ordered fo enter into their own recognizances in the sum of . € 100 to keep the peace .
The Learned Baron told them they had teen in grc-at jeopardy , as tho offences with which they were charged were serious . It would be as well , perhaps , if they were to know what their rights upon the subject for whioh they were iadicted were and what they were not . They had a right to meet and agree together as to the wages ! they should demand from their employers ; but no : right to compel others to follow the same course . The freedom they claimed for themselves they were bound to allow to others—that was only justice , and was both the law and the prophets . :
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DCJBLIN . —The Irish Universal Suffrage Association held their usual weekly meeting , at two o ' clock , on Sunday , the 19 h instant , Mr . ( William Dunne in tho chair . Mr . D . Keegan was appointed Secretary to the meeting , Mr . JJyott having been absent in consequence of a severe cold . The Secretary read the objects and rule 3 of the Association . Several letters were read from various parts of the country . Some new members wore proposed ; and , notice of motion for the admission of others having been given , Mr . O'Higgins , in a luminous speech of unanswerable facts , from Parliamentary records and other authentic sources , brought forward the
resolution , of which notice had been given on the previous Sunday , and which were duly advertised in the Freeman ' s Journal , the only newspaper in Dublin possessing one ray of independent principle . Had Mr . O'Higgin ' s speech beeu reported in the Dublin newspapers , it would have put an extinguisher upon the new nefarious scheme of sending the ejected tenantry out of the country to perish on the suows or in the morasses of Canada . He proved to the satisfaction of all present that Lord ! Stanley and the other raok-rent and absentee landlords wore at the head of this expatriating society , formerly known as the North American Colonization Association , but now under the more seductive and deceitful name
of the " Catholic Emigration Sooiety . " Every one present was fully satisfied of the false statements put Jbrtb-Jiy lhia . fl . agitioaig ^ ... society * For the purpose of inducing the poor Irish confiding labourer and artizan to quit his native land , aud go to Canada . The meeting expressed its amazement and horror on learning that the patriot O'Connell was one of the most prominent abetters of this hellish scheme , and that he had succeeded in getting some of the Catholic clergy to join himinjit—for instance , tho Very Rev . Dr . Kirwan , V . G ., the Very Rev . A . Magee , D . D ., the Kev . Joseph Robson , the Very Rev . Dr . Yore , the Rev . Dr . O'Connell—while
Daniel O'Connell himself is chief trustee . It is to be regretted that every conceived jspecies of falsehood and misrepresentation havo been put forth in the , prospectus of this Company , ] and that Irish Catholic clergy , who are teachers { of and lovers of truth , have been induced , without due consideration it is hoped , to affix their names to this atrocious scheme . Mr . O'Higgins concluded by moving the adoption of the following resolutions , and that a petition to Parliament be forwarded to Mr . Crawford for presentation to the House of ] Commons . Mr . Rafter seconded the motion , which passed unanimously : —
" That the obvious tendency of tbe Catholic Emigration Society—if not the real ^ object— is to aid tbe Irish Protestant Colonization Association in clearing their estates of their Catholic tenantry . " That there is no provision made , nor intended to be made , nor can any by possibility be made , to insure the safety and preserve the health of the deluded emigrants . 14 That there is evidence before Parliament which proves that out of ever ; two hundred Irish Emigrants who arrive in Canada , there are not more than fifty alive in two years I ; " That it is an impious impeachment of tbe wisdom , of Divine Providence to declare , as the . Catholic Emigration Society does , that there are too many people bora , that is to say , created . '
" That it is derogatory to the dignity and injurious to the sacred office ef any Roman Catholic clergyman to embark in any scheme for the expatriation of his poor confiding countrymen , uuder any name , scheme , or device whatsoever . " That every male inhabitant of this empire of mature age . no matter how poor he may be , costs the country , at tho very least , £ 100 before he conies to man ' s estate , and that , therefore , every man sent out of the country is a loss to th < = country of £ 100 , in addition to which he takes with him all the property be can collect .
" That very tew emigrate except able-bodied labourers , and that they do so just at a time when they are able and willing to make , by productive labour , a tenfold return for the cost of rearing ) them ; that , therefore , any scheme to send able-bodied labourers out of the land of their birth , but particularly out of Ireland , is prejudicial to the best interests of the country , impolitic in principle , aDd iniquitous in practice . ' That such of the Irish Clergy and laity as are promoters of this unprincipled scheme are , to a man ,
professed Repealers and patrons of native manufacture ; yet the means they here propose jfor propelling the measure of Repeal is to transport Irisb Catholics and sincere Repealers to a foreign and inclement clime , where certain death awaits them ; t and the mode ia which they here propose to encourage domestic manufacture is , to export our Jabourers s& 3 artizans , in o ? der to make them—to use the very wwds of the fourth and sixth propositions of their prospectus— most profitable to the British natioa by becoming extensive con >
eumers of British , manufacturer !! ! " Patuick . O'Higgins , President . W . H . Byott , Secretary . " Mr . Woodward was called to tho chair , and the usual vote of thanks were voted jto Mr . Dunne . A stranger who was present subscribed liberally towards t iie cxpence of the petition . He said , that although he knew that the Association was right , yet hfj had not made up his miud to join it ; but he woul-X defend its principles anywhere .
NOTTINGHAM . —At a public meeting , held in Ri-, < e-placG , Cbapel , on Monday evening , Mr . R . T . Morrison in the chair , a petition ] in reference to tbe * / rike disturbance was adopted , and advised to be forwarded to Mr . Duncombe for presentation . The following resolutions were also unanimously passed : — " That this meeting returns its thanks to Mr . Roberta for his valuable services , audio F . O'Connor , Esq ., and tbe reet of the defendants at Lancaster ( Cartledge exoepted ) for their noble and uncompromising advocacy ef the people ' s rights daring their trials . " "That the best thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby tendered to our worthy Chairman for bis impartial conduct in the chair , and for the great exertions which be continually makes in our cause . " '
LOUGHBOROUGH . —The Repeal gentry have had a famous thrashing here in the Theatre . One of their crack lecturers , a Mr . Clark , was handled by Mr . Skevingtoa " to bis heart ' s content , and something more . "
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NEWCASTLE— -Mr . Brcp&y lectured in thb Ch * rtisfca Hall , Goat Inn , on Sunday evening , with good effect r after which several names were enrolled . A Delegate Meeting of tbe co 5 T-miners of th » Tyne was held in the Half Moon Inn , Byker , on Monday last Having elected a chairman-rind secretary , pro tern , the minutes of tbe previous District Delegate Meeting were read and confirmed . The delegates proceeded to give an account of the progtesa of their society since last delegate meeting , which was very flattering indeed , and snowed tnat the day was not far distant when the miserably-oppressed pitmen would b 9 foily able to take their own cause , effectually , into their own bands . It was lamentable to hear the delegates ' reports , the innumerable acts of tyranny exercised by
( be coal-lords against the colliers in the various collieries—all of them reducing the prices below starvation point—many of them dischargemen for no other fault thw using their eff > rts to further the Interests of their socvety—and several to whom the tyrannical slave-drivers were compelled to give a good character as honest , sober , and good workmen , were discharged because they committed the most beinons crime of reading that poiBonous journal , the Northern Star , —stating thai so long as the men were allowed to read that lying journal tbe master ^ would never ba able to have due influence over their men : and this being Inserted In their certificate of character prevents them being employed there or any place else . There was a goodly
number of delegates present , amongst whom we recognised delegates' from the following collieries , viz . : — Kenton , St . Lawrence , Seghill , East Cramlington , Walker , King Pit ( Wreckingten ) , West Cramlinton , Sherriff Hill , Pemtsrton , West Moor , besides several others whose constituencies we could not learn . A great deal of local business transpired , ¦ which « m agreeably stamped with perfect unanimity ; each resolution , being first ablydiscussed pro and con-, was unanimously agreed to . If their tyrannical drivers hadseen tbe business-like manner in which everything was brought forward and discussed , —whether they attributed it to their frequent reading the Northern . Star , or to whatever other cause , —it would make them
tremble-Another District Delegate Meeting ^ ^ was held at Shincliff Mill Top , at tbe same time . It was unanimously agreed that the . meeting 8 bon \ cl aOgourn until Saturday , April i = t ., when it would be resumed in tbe above place , ( Half Moon Inn , Byker , ) at ten o ' clock in the forenoon of that day , unless tbe delegates at Sbincliffe should determine te bold a general delegate meeting on . the same day , of which timely notice will be given ; they then separated , each delegate expressing lis determination to do all tkat lay in one man ' s power to further tbe cause for which they bad me * . Several sums were paid for the benefit of the Scotch colliers , besides sums to an incredible amount , considering the condition of the contributors , towards the general fund . The lls . 6 d . rtpsrted in last week's Star , to have been paid from Elinor , should ba Eist Cramlington and Sheriff Mill , instead of Sheffield .
LONDON . —Waxworth . —The cause is " on its le = ; 8 again" hare . An apathy had overtaken the Chartists of this locality , but they have again aroused . A fresh enrolment was made on Monday evening , and things promise well . Publio meetings will hereafter be holden weekly at the Montpelier Tavern , on Monday evenings . BIRftXINGHAIK CoUNqil , MEETING . —The Council held its usual weekly meeting , at the Ashton-street room , on Monday last . A large number of tho members were present . After the collections were handed in , a debate ensued about issuing card ' s , of the Birmingham Charter Association , as it was disputed whether the National
cards could be legally circulated among the members of the local body . * The question after considerable , discussion , was deferred for further debate . It was then resolved to hold a Conference of all tho members on Monday next , March 27 th . at the Blact Horse Inn , Prospect-row , at seven o'clock in the evening , when it is to be hoped there will b 9 a full attendance . Tne prospects of the body are every week becoming mofa promising . A short time and it will be one of the most powerful democratic bodies ia the country . * The National cards may be legally circulated among the members of the locality ; but must not be regarded as tests of membership for them . —
Ed . N . S . Mr . White delivered a long address on the present state of the working clas ? fis , in the Aston-street Room , on Sunday evening . The meeting-room was well attended . Mr . Mead in the chair . The members of the council are specially to meet at the council-room , on Sunday afternoon , at thre » o ' clock . White ' s Trial . —As Mr . White ' s trial will take place in the course of a few days . It is the intention of a number of bis friends to have a supper ia honour of that gentleman , previous to his departure for Warwick . The cumber of tickets will be limited , and may be bad at tha Harp Inn , Steelhouse-lane , and Mr . J . Fallows , Monmouth-Btreet .
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Bradford . —The members of the Co - operative Store will meat in the Council RodfiiiTBuiterworth . Buildings , on Saturday evening , at seven o ' clook . A full attendance is requested . The Chartists of Park-lane will meet in the School Room on Sunday morning , at ten o ' clock , on important business . Mr . Thomas Ibbetson will lecture on Sunday , at two o ' clock afternoon , ' in Manningham , on the present state of political parties . Mr . Smyth will lecture in the Council Room , Batterworth Buildings , on the National Debt , Funding , and Banking System , also oa the Currency Question , on Sunday evening , at six o ' clook . Fiee admission . The Central Locality Chahtisls will meet <* a Sunday morning , at , half-past nine o ' clock , in th » Council Room , on business of importance .
The Chartists of Goodmanend will meet at Mr . Goldsborough ' s , on Saturday evening , on business of importance . All Lecturers wishing to visit Bradford will be required to produce credentials , and send notice of their visit in sufficient time to lay before the council , which meet every Monday evening , and await an answer . The Chartists of Bowling Back-lane , will meat in their room oq Sunday morning at ten o ' clock . The Chartists of Daisy Hill will meet on Saturday evening , in their Room , on business of importance-
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Wm . BUSFIELD FeRRAND , ESQ ., M . P . AND THB Workfwg Classes . —A meeting of tbe friends of William Busfield Ferrand , Esq ., M . P . for Knaresborough , was held at the house of Mr . John Wade , New Inn , Bradford , on Tuesday evening last , Mr . Squire Auty in the chair , when a strong resolution of thanks and confidence was unanimously apopted .
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The committee on the Nottingham election committee , has concluded its labours by unseating Mr . Walter . No one who has read the evidence can entertain the slightest doubt of the correctness of the decision . The case of the petitioners was established by a mass of testimony , showing that corrupt practices prevailed to an immense extent at the last election . Extensive and systematic bribery was proved , and the grossest treating appeared to hare been practised , almost without dU-guise . Mr . Hogg announced tbe decision of the C 0 ID > mittee to be as follows : —
• ' That John Walter , Esq ., was not duly elected a burgesa to serve in this present Parliament for the borough of 'Nottingham . " That the last election for the said borough was a void election . " That John Walter , Esq . was , through his agents , guilty of bribery and treating at the last eleotion for tho borough of Nottingham . " That it was proved before the committee that—£ . s . d . "William Spurr was bribed by 0 16 0 William Wright 0 . 10 0 William Mil-net 0 12 6 John Upton 0 10 0
Edward Flinders 3 0 0 William Middup 110 Jame 3 Rayner 2 0 0 William Beardsall 10 0 Matthew Daniel ... 0 7 6 James Wilkinson 0 15 0 William Jarvis ... 0 15 0 Henry German 0 15 0 James Newton 0 15 0 Richard Roberts 0 10 Q Charles Birkin 0 10 0 James Ash 17 6 Thomas Johnson 1 18 0 Charles Clarke by a promise of £ 5 . of
which he received 10 a . William Hart .., „ . ... ... 1 0 0 Samuel Colley by a sum not stated , given ' to his wife . Francis Besstall by a promise of £ 5 f of which he teoeived £ 1 . Thomas Beastatt by a promise of £ 5 , of which he received £ 1 John Day , paid to himself and wife ... 15 0 JobnKirkham 10 0 William Middleton 10 0 John EnunerBon ... 10 0 "That it was not proved that such bribery was committed with the knowledge or consent of th » aforesaid John Walter , Esq . "
Cfearitet Snttnt&Mc*.
Cfearitet Snttnt&mc * .
Nottingham Election.
NOTTINGHAM ELECTION .
To The Imperial Chartists.
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .
Midland Circuit.—Darby.
MIDLAND CIRCUIT . —DaRBY .
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Dr . Southet is dead . The Trial of Cooper , Capfer , awd Richards , —This trial still progresses slowly ; and , from the report of Friday morning ' s papers , it was expeoted to last for several days yet .
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AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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YOL- YI > ] S [ 0 , 280 . SATURDAY , MARCH 25 , 1843 . PRI % ive ^^ « Pefoil ^ r
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 25, 1843, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct927/page/1/
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